Letters to the editor

A few more thoughts and comments relative to the turmoil surrounding the kneeling during the playing of our national anthem. Recently, more and more people have come forward in support of the players. Indeed, players are what these young athletes are; by definition that is their primary role.

I fully agree with the premise that every individual has the right to protest what they perceive to be a wrong. However, the so-called wrong in this instance is a thinly veiled political one. This being the case, there is absolutely no justification for using a sporting venue to display this right.

If this continues to be a “national event” the players are in danger of “killing the goose that laid the golden egg.” {Some may need to Google this to get my meaning}.

Don Webb

Jackson

Narcissism of a president

I think news media such as MSNBC, CNN, CBS and ABC are making a mistake by acting so astonished every day over the outrageous, vulgar, ignorant and un-American actions and words of Donald Trump. People keep asking how this spoiled brat could continue to conduct himself in this manner.

The truth is that his tweets, speeches and comments are predictable for an Axis II diagnosis of a narcissistic personality disorder. At 71, it is unlikely he will ever change the traits he has demonstrated since his early 20s.

Trump possesses all nine of the narcissistic symptoms: a grandiose sense of self-importance by exaggerating achievements and talents; preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success and power; belief that he is “special” or should associated with other “special” high-status people; requires excessive admiration; has a sense of entitlement; takes advantage of others to achieve his own ends; lacks empathy — unwilling to identify with the feelings and needs of others; is often envious and believes others are envious of him; and displays arrogant, haughty behaviors.

Once a narcissist is opposed by others, he will seek to destroy them. The core symptom is the sense of entitlement — others have responsibilities he doesn’t have or deserve. Every day’s news should be interpreted within this framework.

Surely, everyone should know by now just how dangerous such a personality is to our country.

Buddy Pierce

Bolivar

More on taking a knee

Regarding the response letter-writer on Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, I have some thoughts. Madam writer, your comparison of Kaepernick to Jefferson Davis and his fellow Confederates and those “who divided our country the most” was interesting. The Civil War did divide our country over many things, including the reprehensible legacy of slavery. The Civil War, in case you didn’t notice, is over for most people; at least it should be. It brought our country together under one flag of unity. It’s a flag that has been carried by many races, through many wars and conflicts. It’s the flag and anthem that people of all races have died for. Your statement that African Americans are still trying to reach “full-fledged citizenship” is new to me. I’ve not heard of this most recent struggle. In your second paragraph, you stated: “A football stadium isn’t a sanctuary away from the world.” In the very next sentence, you said, “Sports for many is a wonderful form of entertainment that takes them away from their real-world worries.” This last statement of yours is exactly the point I was making in my column. You used your entire response, from the first paragraph to the last, to interject your politics and yes, your racism. You said I was prejudiced against black people because of my statements. But in all my statements, I never focused on any one race. Most of your statements were incoherent, political racist rants about equal rights — all the way to somebody reaping huge profits from bounced check fees. I don’t think you understood my last paragraph, and I sure didn’t understand yours.

If you equate words like “idealistic” and “courage” for grown men to get on all four after a touchdown and act like a dog taking a pee, then you have revealed a person with real issues. I say, stand with respect for our flag, the anthem, and all who died for freedom, from not just the Civil War to the present day, but all the way back to our becoming a nation.